Rating: 4.5/5 (6 votes)

Open Days: Open Daily

Opening Hours: Open 24 Hours

 

King Naresuan the Great Royal Monument (Thung Phu Khao Thong) If you want to experience Ayutthaya with both a strong sense of history and an open, breezy atmosphere—without starting in the most crowded areas on the island city—the King Naresuan the Great Royal Monument at Thung Phu Khao Thong is a seriously worthwhile choice. This is not the kind of place where you stop for a quick photo and leave. The space is wide and genuinely made for lingering: walking around, taking photos, resting your eyes, and slowly taking in the meaning of the setting without rushing. The first feeling when you arrive is how open and airy it is. The fields let the wind move freely, and the walk feels more comfortable than many temple zones with tighter walls, especially in the morning or late afternoon when the light and air soften the whole scene.

 

What makes “Thung Phu Khao Thong” more than a name on a map is its role as the backdrop of Ayutthaya’s historical narratives. The area is often discussed in the context of major battlefields connected to the broader Thai–Burmese conflicts that many Thai people recognize from the bigger historical picture. The surrounding open field is therefore commonly seen as a symbol of sacrifice, sovereignty, and the enduring will to remain free. When you stand here in real life, the history that once lived only in books shifts into something you can feel: you look far into the distance, sense the openness, and start to understand why landscapes like this are repeatedly mentioned in stories of war.

 

The monument itself is an equestrian statue, set prominently on an open plaza, and it looks powerful and dignified even from far away. But what many visitors miss is the “detail around the base.” The surrounding bas-relief panels depict key episodes and important events in a visual, story-like sequence. If you walk around slowly and read one side at a time, you can follow the narrative in order, rather than simply taking a photo and moving on. That is exactly why this place works so well for people who want a learning-focused visit without feeling like they have to carry long blocks of information in their head—the site tells its story through images and atmosphere at the same time.

 

Another memorable part of the experience is the atmosphere of reverence created by offerings that make the space feel alive rather than silent and purely ceremonial. With details like these, your photos won’t look like a generic check-in. You get the equestrian statue, the open field as a background, and the narrative elements around the base that give your images a stronger sense of “story.” If you like creating content, try three styles of shots: a wide angle to emphasize the openness of the field, a mid-range composition to capture the monument’s dignity, and close-up details of the bas-relief panels so your post carries real narrative value, not only a location name.

 

On a broader level, this area also connects to the idea of public-space development and smoother linkage to nearby heritage sites in the same zone. In other words, it is positioned as a place where you can arrive, spend time comfortably, and then continue naturally to Wat Phu Khao Thong and other nearby landmarks—while still preserving the dignity of the landscape, without letting vehicles crowd too close to the monument. That makes the visit feel easier for everyone, from families bringing older relatives or small children to travelers who simply want a relaxed walk without racing against the clock.

 

To make the visit worthwhile, plan at least 30–60 minutes to walk around the base, read the bas-relief panels, take photos from different angles, and rest for a moment. If you are serious about photography or want to fully enjoy the surrounding open space, 1–1.5 hours is a better fit. The wide sky and open horizon make the light change dramatically through the day. Morning gives softer light and usually fewer people, while late afternoon tends to deliver warm tones and shadows that add depth to your photos. If you come at midday, bring a hat, water, and sunscreen—the area is open and Ayutthaya sun can be intense.

 

One more reason the place feels connected to the present is that commemorative activities are sometimes held here, such as annual remembrance events for King Naresuan the Great, often scheduled toward the end of the year with cultural programs. Visiting during those periods can feel livelier than usual. But if you prefer quiet space and cleaner photo frames, early morning or weekday evenings are the most comfortable choices.

 

Getting There If you are coming from Bangkok by private car, drive into Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and head toward the Thung Phu Khao Thong area, which sits slightly outside the island city. The monument is in the same zone as key sites such as Wat Phu Khao Thong and Wat Khok Phraya, so it works well as a starting point before flowing into the island city in the afternoon, or as part of a half-day plan focused on the northern side of Ayutthaya. If you are not driving, you can reach Ayutthaya first by train or minivan and then continue by local hired transport, or rent a motorbike to get to Thung Phu Khao Thong. Agree on the price and planned stops clearly from the beginning so the trip runs smoothly.

 

For etiquette and preservation, dress respectfully, avoid climbing or touching the statue unnecessarily, keep the area clean, and help maintain the monument as a place of remembrance. The charm here is not only the monument itself, but the overall atmosphere of the space. When the area is clean and calm, the dignity of the site becomes immediately stronger, and future visitors can continue to use it as both a relaxing public space and a place to learn history together.

 

If you want an efficient route without backtracking, start at Thung Phu Khao Thong, spend time at the monument and the surrounding open area, then continue to Wat Phu Khao Thong and Wat Khok Phraya, and only afterward move into the island city zone for major temples and museums in your preferred style. This approach lets you use your morning energy in an open, easy-to-walk area and enter the busier zones later, which helps you avoid tiring out too early.

 

 

A: It is located in the Thung Phu Khao Thong area on the Ayutthaya–Ang Thong Road in Lum Phli Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, and it is close to Wat Phu Khao Thong, making it easy to plan a connected route in the same zone.

 

A: It is open daily and open 24 hours. Admission is generally free, making it suitable for both respectful visits and relaxed walks or photography.

 

A: Morning usually offers softer light and fewer people, while late afternoon tends to give warmer tones and shadows that add depth, especially when you frame the equestrian statue with the wide open field.

 

A: Travel to Ayutthaya first by train or minivan, then continue by local hired transport, or rent a motorbike to reach Thung Phu Khao Thong. Agree on pricing and planned stops clearly before you set off.

 

A: For a simple visit and photos, 30–60 minutes is usually enough. If you want to walk around the base, read the bas-relief story panels, capture multiple angles, and enjoy the open space, 1–1.5 hours will feel more worthwhile.

 

A: Dress respectfully, avoid climbing or touching the statue unnecessarily, keep the area clean, and bring water, a hat, and sunscreen if visiting during the hotter parts of the day because the landscape is quite open.